Reviews

The Push by Ashley Audrain

lizjauregui's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

michelreynoso19's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

sarahpen's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really really liked this and don’t even want to read the reviews because I’m sure there are flaws and people who didn’t like it and I just don’t want any of that to change my mind. It was gripping and devastating. There were so many points that were so incredible touching like

the birth of Violet. Even though Blythe knew she wouldn’t connect with her, she knew she had that moment.

I usually do not feel too many emotions when reading books. I know when things are sad or funny but I don’t feel it incredibly deeply most of the time. For some reason this one cut through me. I kept putting it down chapter and short chapter just to think about it for a moment.

I do wish that it ended with a little bit more ambiguity about Violet’s behavior. The last line was a bit predictable, but still chilling.

Either way, 5 stars from me!

camerynporter's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Man this book was crazy!!! And creepy. I have so many thoughts. And speculations. Highly recommend! 

gabrielleint's review against another edition

4.0

This was an excellent thriller, in that it was more of a lit fic than a thriller. It had a very interesting exploration of motherhood and how generations of female oppression leads to traumatized children. People did a bunch of crazy yet understandable stuff and I love that kind of book. I love mess!

meganreads95's review against another edition

5.0

I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about this book for the rest of the year

saradam's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bronwynreads's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

nicolemctye's review against another edition

challenging sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

calliekay's review against another edition

3.0

This story was very predictable to me. Let me explain why…. I’m a Mother.

Spoiler

I knew from the beginning the Mother wasn’t “crazy.” She was too self aware of her generational trauma and scared that it was affecting her parenting to be just making something out of nothing. She also WANTED very badly to have a good relationship with her daughter. She needed support and had a horrible partner who blamed her instead of listening to her. She also had a MIL that had a dumb loyalty to her son over Blythe, so even though she was a Mother as well, and witnessed the struggle Blythe was having, she didn't speak up. She didn't support her, she didn't try to support them together figure out the issues with the daughter. This is frustrating.....why? She clearly was a very kind, loving woman. She cared about Blythe, she saw Blythe. But she didn't want to step on her Son's toes by disagreeing with him.... GAG!!!

I gave it 3 stars because honestly I found some of it boring, and I really wanted a crazy twist at the end. The mental health issues, abuse, and instability of a long line of Mothers in this family could have led up to a Shutter Island type of twist. But like I said, I predicted the fact that the daughter was absolutely the issue the entire time.

Then again.....was that the entire point this author was trying to make by writing this story this way? To validate not only Blythe, but all Mothers?....

Maybe the ending was only shocking to those who are not Mothers.

Did all Mothers feel the way I did while reading this? I'm very curious to know how this read to people who are not Mothers to see if it differs at all.